Jucumari Lodge
Bolivia

Jucumari Lodge is one of the few bird-watching focused lodges in Bolivia. It is located in the cloud forest just a few hours 'downhill' from La Paz, Bolivia. 

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They serve great meals in the cosy accomodation...

While I was there, guide Thalia ('Bolivian bird nerd') was running the lodge, and she was my one and only English speaking guide on my Bolivian explorations. She knew all the birds and their calls, and can also guide you in other spots in the region, such as Death Road. In the image below she is stocking the fruit feeder near the balcony.

There are trails on the property, including a long one that follows along a small mostly unused road up into the beautiful Elfin forest. Keep in mind that while you will be at a lower altitude than La Paz, it is still high, so you may notice some fatigue while walking along. (Unfortunately while I was there, I was suffering from a cold. This was perhaps brought on during my stay in La Paz by high altitude and too much Bolivian Vino Tinto "Campos").

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There is lots of highland botany to enjoy, including many Andes rainforest endemics...

In the Elfin Forest, the orchids grow nice and low down, and are easy to see, including the 'Golden Cyrtochilum'.

And up in this Elfin forests, the Bromeliads grow as giants!

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Even the insects are having a good time at the Jucumari Lodge!

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One of the highlights of the lodge is to see the Rufous-faced Ant-Pitta, which is enticed out with some yummy worms by Thelia...

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There are also lots of hummingbird feeders on the property. Below is a 'Gould's Collared Inca'. It's nice to get shots of the Hummers at plants rather than feeders, even if the plant is a non-native! 

There are other hummingbirds to be seen around the property. They tend to slurp less at the feeders and more in the forest during the summer. One of the special ones here is the 'Black-hooded Sunbeam' Aglaeactis pamela, the only member of it's genus, and an endemic to the high altitude forest of Bolivia. It is distinguished by the cute white lines on the contrasting black chest.

Of course, as is common at many cloud forest feeders meant for hummingbirds, the Flowerpiercers come along to steal the sweet stuff.

Other high altitude bird specialities you may spot include...

...and some endemics, such as the Bolivian Brush-finch, only found in the Andes forest in that country... 

and some 'almost endemics', such as the 'Light-crowned Spinetail' (with his white cap nice and fluffy!); it is an endemic mostly to the mountains of Bolivia, where it breeds around mountain bamboo...

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Thalia & Jucumari Lodge can also guide you along the infamous 'Death Road', which is great for more birds, at a range of slightly lower altitudes.